Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 01 March 2007
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. or questions about this blog, please contact debudeodhar at yahoo dot com.
This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.
The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post may not always be identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on tour, travel, tourism, destination, vacation, visits, products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

Powered By

Friday, March 27, 2009

Harsil is thus far untouched by tourism, because the majority of travellers move on to Gangotri. There are plenty of good walks in this area along the river and into the surrounding forests. Two kilometres from Harsil is Dharali Village, from where a 7-km trek brings you to Sattal, a group of seven lakes, set amidst beautiful surroundings and an excellent camping site. People can also explore the large Tibetan settlement at Bhagori and Harsil.

Gangotri (24 km)

The road, carrying on from Harsil, enters the dense green gorge of Bhairon Ghati. After crossing the Jadh Ganga River beyond Lanka, the road winds its way to a halt at Gangotri, which is a small pilgrim town based around the confluence of the rivers Bhagirathi and Kedar Ganga at an altitude of 10,000 ft. All along this route you are surrounded by dense green pine forests with wonderful views of the snow mountains around. A temple dedicated to Ganga was built here by Gurkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century.

Gangotri has an awesome natural setting and is the starting point of quite a few treks in the area. The two most popular ones in the region are the Gangotri-Gaumukh-Tapovan route which carries on towards Badrinath and the Gangotri-Kedartal trek along the Kedar Ganga Valley. People wanting to stay at Gangotri itself can chill out at Gaurikund, a waterfall on the Bhagirathi River.

The gates of the Gangotri Temple are closed on Diwali and are opened again after six months in May. During this time, the idol of the goddess resides at Mukhba Village, near Harsil.

Gangotri has no big hotels but there are many lodges, including the the GMVN Travellers Lodge (Tel:013772-22221; Tariff:Rs. 380-950) open from April 1 to October 31 and Forest Rest House (Uttarkashi Tel: 01374-222444; Tariff: Rs 100-300). Food is available at numerous cafes along the main Gangotri street.

Gaumukh (21 km from Gangotri)Gaumukh, source of the Bhagirathi River, is at an altitude of 12,769 ft. After passing the main temple in Gangotri, one emerges into a small clearing where steps connect you to the main trail to Gaumukh. The path, all along the Bhagirathi to the true right of the valley, is a gradual ascent and one soon leaves the tree line behind. Chirbasa (9 km from Gangotri), situated amidst the last clump of trees, is nothing more than a few scattered shacks set up to serve the hundreds of pilgrims who visit Gaumukh every day in the season.

Along most of the route there's a stark, dry quality to the landscape, accompanied by close views of peaks going up to 19,685 ft. The peaks remain in sight throughout the trek. Near Chirbasa, the Bhagirathi Valley swings to the right, opening up a grand view of the peaks and Bhagirathi I, II and III at the head of the valley. Also seen are Bhrigu Parvat and the Manda group.

Bhojbasa (12,467 ft), providing the only solidly constructed accommodation on the route, is a further 8 km from Chirbasa. Four km ahead of Bhojbasa is Gaumukh, where the Bhagirathi emerges from the snout of the Gangotri Glacier. Leading up to Gaumukh, the path forks with the lower path going towards the glacier and the higher towards Tapovan. Approaching the glacier, one gets fine views of Mount Shivaling (21,456 ft).

Most people prefer to stay at Lal Baba's Ashram or the rest house at Bhojbasa. There is a canteen here, besides countless other cafes which also serve food. Most of these cafes at Bhojbasa and Chirbasa charge approx Rs 100 per night.

Tapovan (6 km from Gaumukh)Although Shivaling Peak can be seen from all around Gaumukh, its footprint lies at Tapovan (14,632 ft), a beautiful high-altitude meadow above Gaumukh. The route from Gaumukh involves a lateral traverse of the Gangotri Glacier, moving from the true right to the true left of the valley. Following this a short but steep and strenuous ascent leads you across a dip in the ridge above (marked by a flag), and into the glorious meadow of Tapovan.

Pahari Wilson rides againA legend prevails in the mountain villages of a holy trail in the Garhwal Hills, that the restless ghost of an angrez raja rides his horse across the rocky trails on moonlit nights. The ancient Ganga weeps in sympathy at Harsil as she listens to the retreating hoof beats swing by the dilapidated bungalow on the road to Gangotri. It was here that Pahari Wilson, or Raja Wilson as he was referred to, settled down with Gulabi, a local girl. Mystery still shrouds F.E. Wilson's origins. Some believe that he came from Lancashire others say that he left the British army in disgrace and found refuge in this far corner of Garhwal.

In time, Wilson's entrepreneurial spirit endeared him to the local Garhwalis. But when Wilson built the suspension bridge at the Bhairon Ghati Gorge over the Jadh Ganga, the locals were too petrified to venture onto it. Leaping on to his Arab, Wilson galloped up and down the bridge to allay their fears. Even today on a full moon night the locals believe that Raja Wilson rides again.

Subscribe To

Pediatric Links - Must See

Pediatric Surgery
This blog describes various medical and surgical diseases in children.

Laparoscopic procedures
Laparoscopic surgery though require skill, it is less morbid, less painful, gives good cosmesis and avoids large scars.

Pediatric Cancer
It is an informative blog which describes various types of cancer in children, their clinical presentation,diagnosis and management written by a surgeon.

Atlas of Pediatric Diseases
It includes the exclusive pictures of various diseases in children. This is very useful site to remember the pathology in a glance. Especially for doctors as well as for persons who are interested in pediatric medicine and surgery. Disclaimer :The images in this blog are from real surgeries, and they might not be suitable for all readers.

Followers

Blogs of Notes

Quality TaleThe blog contributes to ensure the Quality in any field in your life.

Cooking FundaLife is meant for enjoy. Cooke It. Taste It. Pleasure It. Its an Indian Cooking Funda.Blog dedicated to house wives of all over the world to solve their all types of KITCHEN worries and making & serving good food to their bubbies and relatives.

It's My WorldMy well-wishers, here I am going to add my life's happenings, evidences, experiences, funny things, things inspired me a lot.Everything about myself, which helps me to make my life and future better. My father keep pointing me out for my each movements to show me good and bad things of life. Welcome to My World and be a part of my life.

From the Grandma's PurseIndian household solution on all complaints fo human beings.make your kid HEALTHY-n-WEALTHY. Try Grandma's remedies for your kid and you too and see the difference.